Love: hormones, brain and a little heart

Different types of love have always been heart-related. “Such a big heart he has” - this is the phrase that defines a person with a high capacity to love. Although the physiology of romantic love has not been extensively studied, nowadays neuroscientists can affirm that the source of love is actually a neuronal and chemical transmission.

There are four different areas of the brain which work in the mechanisms of love. When someone catches sight of their beloved the brain sends signals to the body’s glands and a series of neuronal discharges takes place which triggers the liberation of chemical or hormonal substances (feniletilamine, adrenaline, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin and sex hormones) that will be involved in the process of infatuation.

According to Helen Fisher of Rutgers University in New Jersey, every hormone has a delimited function and each one acts in the three different stages of falling in love. Each stage might be driven by different hormones.

Lust is the first stage. This stage is driven by the feniletilamine (amphetamine family) which stimulates an enormous liberation of dopamine. Sexual hormones (testosterone and estrogen) are also fundamental in this stage. They increase and maintain sexual desire and libido; without them our species would not exist.

Attraction is the second stage. Neurotransmitters (adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin) are the most important hormones here. Adrenaline unleashes an increase in cardiac rhythm and perspiration and the mouth goes dry. Dopamine is secreted in pleasant situations and stimulates desire. It is highly addictive and it has the same effect on the brain as taking cocaine. Serotonin is one of the most important love hormones and one that actually drives lovers temporarily insane.

Finally, the third stage is attachment. Two major hormones are involved in this stage: oxytocin which makes us feel the need to be supported by loved one, and vasopressin which acts later in the calm phase of love.

Chemistry is very important in love, desire and passion but the interest one has in another person, to share common interests and to express feelings has a much more lasting effect and one which is also more pleasant.

Nines